Cue shaft with ball control enhancement function and billiard cue thereof

ABSTRACT

A cue shaft with ball control enhancement function and a billiard cue thereof are provided. The cue shaft includes an outer tube and a combine end. The outer tube includes a strike end and a combine end disposed in opposite to the strike end, with a housing space formed between the strike end and the combine end. The housing space is disposed along an axial direction of the outer tube. The combine end is configured to be combined with the cue butt. The inner member has a length and is disposed in the housing space, such that an outer edge of the inner member fits an inner edge of the outer tube. Therefore, with the cue shaft not being a singular component, the ball controlling stability is improved, thus achieving an optimal ball striking performance.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to billiard cues, and more particularly, to a cue shaft with ball control enhancement function and billiard cue thereof.

2. Description of the Related Art

A conventional billiard cue is usually formed of a cue shaft and a cue butt, so as to facilitate the mobility of the billiard cue.

The billiard cue is generally made of wood material. However, the fiber orientation of the wood may not be averagely arranged. Also, a tree may grows in different directions due to the phototropism and negative phototropism of plant, so that the wood qualities of different trees differ from each other. As a result, the manufactured billiard cues may not achieve a consistent cue ball controlling effect. In addition, because wood material includes different texture and capillary bores, such that quality of the cue butt is easily affected by the varying weather, failing to maintain the quality consistency.

Also, some billiard cues are formed of two components combined together. However, due to the effects caused by varying weather, the quality consistency is lowered, and the resiliency of such billiard cues are not optimal.

For resolving such issues, some billiard cues in the market are made of composite material of carbon fiber, so as to prevent the deformation of the billiard cue from happening. However, the rigidity of such billiard cue is larger than the rigidity of wooden billiard cue, causing the difficulty of cue ball controlling by such billiard cues.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

For improving a cue shaft with ball control enhancement function and billiard cue thereof in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention are disclosed. The cue shaft includes an outer tube and an inner member disposed in the outer tube, such that the cue shaft is not formed of a singular component, thus preventing the quality consistency of the billiard cue from being affected by weather variation and improving the ball controlling stability of the billiard cue.

For achieving the aforementioned objectives, a cue shaft with ball control enhancement function in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is provided, comprising an outer tube and an inner member. The outer tube includes a strike end and a combine end disposed in opposite to the strike end. The combine end is combined with the cue butt. A housing space is axially formed between the strike end and the combine end, such that the housing space is arranged along an axial direction of the billiard cue. The inner member includes a certain length and disposed in the housing space. Also, the outer wall of the inner member fittingly contacts the inner wall of the outer tube.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a strike assembly is further included, which is combined with the strike end. The strike assembly includes a tip and a fix member. The fix member is mounted on the strike end. The tip is disposed at an end of the fix member away from the strike end.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a medium member is further included and disposed between the tip and the fix member.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the outer tube is a combination tube formed of a plurality of components. The inner edge of the outer tube and the outer edge of the inner member are correspondingly formed in a circular shape to be fittingly engaged with each other.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the sectional face of the inner member is allowed to be formed in a solid circle or hollow circle.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the inner member has at least one end thereof provided with a distal member.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the distal member is made of polyurethane material.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the inner member is made of carbon fiber.

In an embodiment of the present invention, two inner members are included, so as to be mutually spaced with each other and disposed in the outer tube along an axial direction of the outer tube.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a filler is further included to be disposed between the strike end and the inner member.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the filler is made of polyurethane or wood material.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a billiard cue is provided, such that the billiard cue includes a cue butt screwedly combined with the aforementioned cue shaft.

Therefore, the cue shaft is not formed of a singular component, thus preventing the quality consistency of the billiard cue from being affected by weather variation and enhancing the straightness and resiliency of the billiard cue, improving the ball controlling stability of the billiard cue.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the billiard cue in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded sectional view of the cue shaft in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a transversely-sectional view of the cue shaft in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a transversely-sectional view of the cue shaft in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a transversely-sectional view of the cue shaft in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an exploded sectional view of the cue shaft in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a transversely-sectional view of the cue shaft in accordance with the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a transversely-sectional view of the cue shaft in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a transversely-sectional view of the cue shaft in accordance with a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an exploded sectional view of the cue shaft in accordance with a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an exploded sectional view of the cue shaft in accordance with an eighth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is an exploded sectional view of the cue shaft in accordance with a ninth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is an exploded sectional view of the cue shaft in accordance with a tenth embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The aforementioned and further advantages and features of the present invention will be understood by reference to the description of the preferred embodiment in conjunction with the accompanying drawings where the components are illustrated based on a proportion for explanation but not subject to the actual component proportion.

The term “inner edge” cited herein refers to an outline disposed around the central axis of a rod or tube shaped component for defining the inner wall of the rod or tube shaped component in a sectional view of the component. The term “outer edge” cited herein refers to an outline disposed around the central axis of a rod or tube shaped component for defining the outer wall of the rod or tube shaped component in a sectional view of the component.

Referring to FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, a cue shaft 100 with ball control enhancement function in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is provided. The cue shaft 100 is configured to be combined with a cue butt 2 of a billiard cue 1. The cue shaft 100 includes an outer tube 10 and an inner member 20 having a certain length. The outer tube 10 includes a strike end 11 and a combine end 12 disposed in opposite to the strike end 11. The cue shaft 100 is screwedly combined with the cue butt 2 through the combine end 12 to form the billiard cue 1.

A housing space 13 is axially formed between the strike end 11 and the combine end 12 of the outer tube 10, wherein the housing space 13 tapers from the combine end 12 toward the strike end 11, such that the inner member 20 is housed in the housing space 13 and placed away from the combine end 12. The inner edge of the outer tube 10 and the outer edge of the inner member 20 are formed in a corresponding circular shape, such that the outer wall of the inner member 20 is fully surrounded by the outer tube 10. In an embodiment of the present invention, the outer tube 10 is a singular hollow tube made of wood material. In another embodiment of the present invention, the outer tube 10 is a combination tube made of a plurality of wooden components 10 a arranged around the axial direction of the cue shaft 100. Also, the components 10 a are connected in a side-by-side manner, and the outer wall of the outer tube 10 formed by the components 10 a presents a smooth peripheral wall along the axial direction without step structures thereon. As shown by the second embodiment in FIG. 4, the outer tube 10 is formed of two components whose sectional face is formed in a semi-circular shape. As shown by the third embodiment in FIG. 5, the outer tube 10 is a hollow tube formed of four components. In other embodiments, the outer tube 10 is allowed to be formed of five, six, seven or more components.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a strike assembly 30 is further included to be combined with the strike end 11. The strike assembly 30 includes a tip 31 and a fix member 32. The fix member 32 is mounted on the strike end 11, and the tip 31 is disposed on an end of the fix member 32 away from the strike end 11. The strike assembly 30 further includes a medium member 33 disposed between the tip 31 and the fix member 32. The medium member 33 increases the structural strength of the billiard cue 1, preventing the outer tube 10 from being damaged or broken during a strong strike process.

In the first to third embodiments, the inner member 20 has a sectional face formed in a hollow circle, and the inner member 20 is made of carbon fiber or other non-metal material. Also, the inner member 20 has at least one end thereof provided with a distal member 21. When the inner member 20 is a hollow tube, the distal member 21 is inserted into the inner member 20, so as to be fixed at an end of the inner member 20. Referring to FIG. 2, the distal member 21 of the inner member 20 is disposed in adjacent to the combine end 12 of the outer tube 10. Also, the distal member 21 is made of polyurethane material, so as to increase the ball striking resiliency.

With the aforementioned configuration, the cue shaft 100 in accordance with the embodiments above is formed of the outer tube 10 and the inner member 20 disposed inside the outer tube 10. Also, the inner member 20 is allowed to be made of carbon fiber or other non-metal material, thus improving the straightness, rigidity, and resiliency of the cue shaft 100, so as to achieve the stability during the ball striking and ball controlling process. Also, quality of the cue shaft 100 is prevented from being structurally affect due to weather variation.

Referring to the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the inner member 20 has the sectional face thereof formed in a solid circle, wherein the outer tube 10 is a singular hollow tube whose sectional face is circularly shaped corresponding to the sectional face of the inner member 20.

Referring to the fifth embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the inner member 20 has the sectional face thereof formed in a solid circle, and the outer tube 10 is formed of two components having a semi-circularly shaped sectional face.

Referring to the sixth embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the inner member 20 has the sectional face thereof formed in a solid circle, and the outer tube 10 is a hollow tube formed of four components, such that the sectional face of the outer tube 10 is formed in a hollow circle.

Referring to the seventh embodiment shown in FIG. 10, two inner members 20 are included, and the sectional face of the inner member 20 is formed in a hollow circle. Also, the two inner members 20 are mutually spaced with each other and disposed in the outer tube 10 along an axial direction of the outer tube 10. In the embodiment, the outer tube 10 includes a separation portion 14 which divides the housing space 13 into two separate spaces, so as to house two inner members 20 in the two separate spaces, respectively. When the outer tube 10 is a singular hollow tube, the separation portion 14 is a part of the outer tube 10. When the outer tube 10 is formed of a plurality of components, the separation portion 14 is formed of such components. Especially, two ends of each inner member 20 are provided with the aforementioned distal member 21, respectively, such that the distal member 21 of the inner member 20 in adjacent to the separation portion 14 rests against the separation portion 14.

Referring to the eighth embodiment in FIG. 11, the inner member 20 has the sectional face thereof formed in a solid circle, which differs from the sectional face of the inner member 20 in the seventh embodiment.

Referring to the ninth embodiment in FIG. 12, one inner member 20 is included, and a filler 40 is disposed between the inner member 20 and the strike end 11. The filler 40 is made of, for example but not limited to, polyurethane or wood material. In the embodiment, the inner member 20 has the sectional face thereof formed in a hollow circle. Also, two ends of the inner member 20 are provided with a distal member 21, respectively. The inner member 20 contacts the filler 40 by the distal member 21 which is disposed away from the combine end 12.

Referring to the tenth embodiment in FIG. 13, the inner member 20 has the sectional face thereof formed in a solid circle, which differs from the sectional face of the inner member 20 in the ninth embodiment.

With the foregoing configuration, the cue shaft 100 is formed of a combination, instead of a singular component. Therefore, the overall quality is prevented from being affected by weather variation, and the structure of the cue shaft 100 has a certain degree of resiliency, thus prevented from being over rigid, so as to facilitate the ball control stability and achieve an optimal ball striking performance during the billiard sport.

Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited except as by the appended claims. 

1. A cue shaft with ball control enhancement function, which is combined with a cue butt of a billiard cue, the cue shaft comprising: an outer tube comprising a strike end and a combine end disposed in opposite to the strike end, with a housing space formed between the strike end and the combine end, the housing space being disposed along an axial direction of the outer tube, and the combine end being configured to be combined with the cue butt, the outer tube being a combination tube formed of a plurality of wooden components arranged around an axial direction of the cue shaft, and the components being connected in a side-by-side manner, such that the outer wall of the outer tube formed by the components presents a smooth peripheral wall along the axial direction of the cue shaft without step structures thereon; and an inner member having a length and disposed in the housing space and placed away from the combine end, an outer edge of the inner member and an inner edge of the outer tube having a sectional face formed in a circular shape, such that an outer wall of the inner member is fully surrounded by the outer tube.
 2. The cue shaft of claim 1, further comprising a strike assembly configured to be combined with the strike end, the strike assembly comprising a tip and a fix member, the fix member mounted on the strike end, and the tip disposed on an end of the fix member away from the strike end.
 3. The cue shaft of claim 2, further comprising a medium member disposed between the tip and the fix member.
 4. (canceled)
 5. The cue shaft of claim 1, wherein a sectional face of the inner member is formed in a shape chosen from a group consisting of a solid circle and a hollow circle.
 6. The cue shaft of claim 5, wherein at least one end of the inner member comprises a distal member.
 7. The cue shaft of claim 6, wherein the distal member is made of polyurethane material.
 8. The cue shaft of claim 1, wherein the inner member is made of carbon fiber.
 9. The cue shaft of claim 1, wherein two inner members are included, and the two inner members are mutually spaced with each other and disposed in the outer tube along the axial direction of the outer tube.
 10. The cue shaft of claim 1, further comprising a filler disposed between the strike end and the inner member.
 11. The cue shaft of claim 10, wherein the filler is made of a material chosen from a group consisting of polyurethane and wood.
 12. A billiard cue including a cue shaft and a cue butt screwedly combined with the cue shaft, the cue shaft comprising: an outer tube comprising a strike end and a combine end disposed in opposite to the strike end, with a housing space formed between the strike end and the combine end, the housing space being disposed along an axial direction of the outer tube, and the combine end being configured to be combined with the cue butt, the outer tube being a combination tube formed of a plurality of wooden components arranged around an axial direction of the cue shaft, and the components being connected in a side-by-side manner, such that the outer wall of the outer tube formed by the components presents a smooth peripheral wall along the axial direction of the cue shaft without step structures thereon; and an inner member having a length and disposed in the housing space and placed away from the combine end, an outer edge of the inner member and an inner edge of the outer tube having a sectional face formed in a circular shape, such that an outer wall of the inner member is fully surrounded by the outer tube. 